Kahkewistahaw First Nation Chief becomes first Indigenous Canadian name honorary RCAF Colonel

Chief Evan B.G. Taypotat, Capt. (Ret’d), was formally invested as honorary colonel of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, home of the world-renowned Canadian Forces Snowbirds at CFB 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

Taypotat, chief of Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Treaty 4 territory, became the first Indigenous Canadian to serve as an honorary colonel with the squadron — a milestone he described as both humbling and deeply meaningful.

“You know, to be in this position feels really, really cool,” Taypotat said following the Oct. 17 ceremony. “Growing up on the First Nation of Kahkewistahaw, we don’t really do any of these things,” he continued. “(W)e didn’t know we were poor, but we’d see the fighter jets flying over our First Nation back in the day. We stood there and watched them, and now to be here today, 40 years later in this role … it’s really cool.”

Taypotat said his appointment started when the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) began expanding its outreach with First Nations communities as part of reconciliation efforts.

Born in Grenfell, Sask., Taypotat joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) through the Bold Eagle program in 1998, graduating at the top of his class. He later served with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 before retiring as a captain. He went on to become a teacher and principal at Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School before being elected chief in 2017.

Today, he holds a master’s in educational administration from the University of Regina and an Executive Master’s in Indigenous Business Leadership from Simon Fraser University. He and his wife, Megaen, live with their three children.

For Taypotat, the role bridges First Nations and the CAF and shows that reconciliation is ongoing.

“I think the goal would be to help CFB Moose Jaw, and maybe the (RCAF), understand what reconciliation is … Everybody concentrates on September and we always wear orange shirts, but it’s more than that — it’s got to be every month, weekly, and I want to help the Air Force transform to that a little bit. We as First Nations people don’t want it (as the focus) every day … but we certainly don’t want the atrocities swept to the side.

“If people are educated about it, it becomes a better Saskatchewan,” he added.

Founded in 1978 and rooted in 431 (Iroquois) Squadron from the Second World War, the Snowbirds are a national symbol of excellence and teamwork — qualities Taypotat said he hopes to build on by advancing reconciliation and inspiring future Indigenous leaders.

“There are a lot of … Indigenous kids … (who can now) say, ‘Hey, maybe we can be honorary colonels.” I want them to know that this is a viable path for us,” Taypotat said.